Many people feel the effects of loneliness and social isolation. Men and women both report feeling lonely, but evidence shows that men are more likely to suppress their feelings, including those about loneliness.
With this in focus, community organisations are developing programs to counter the loneliness crisis. This month we take a closer look at loneliness and social isolation and speak to the Men’s Shed about how the organisation is addressing loneliness in Aussie men.
As studies around the world reveal loneliness is a growing global concern, its effects on men are evident. As men continue to face high rates of suicide, depression and anxiety, community organisations are on the frontline in helping to alleviate loneliness, delivering local solutions for this global issue.
What are loneliness and social isolation?
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare distinguishes between social isolation and loneliness, with the former defined as minimal contact with others, and the latter as “a subjective state of negative feelings about having less social contact than desired”.1
According to the Australian Psychological Society, one in four Australians reports being lonely.
Highlighting the seriousness of loneliness in Australia, in 2018, the Turnbull government invested $46.1 million towards combating loneliness and social isolation in vulnerable communities.2
Loneliness has a significant health burden and is linked with higher blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors.3
In recent years, psychologists have focused on the quality of the relationships that people have around them, rather than the quantity.4 They assert that loneliness can be felt even when people are around those experiencing it. Building meaningful connection enables loneliness prevention, they add.
Loneliness in men
Men experiencing loneliness are unlikely to talk about it. Research published in the Journal of Sociology argues that loneliness is a significant problem for Australian men, as men experience it differently to women and find it more difficult to resolve.5 Further research shows men more commonly experience loneliness,6 particularly single men and young men living in regional and remote areas.7
Spreading awareness
Ending Loneliness Together is a network of organisations with the aim of spreading awareness about loneliness to inspire change.8
Its website recently highlighted the role of the community in reducing loneliness.
“While there is still limited evidence about the types of strategies that are effective in reducing loneliness, it has been consistently found that providing opportunities for engagement in meaningful, rewarding activities in a group environment is beneficial,” it stated.9
One community organisation helping to prevent loneliness is the Men’s Shed. The group supports Men’s Sheds across Australia and is recognised as one of Australia’s largest male-based organisations.10 It encourages meaningful connection, creating a space for men to discuss their feelings in a safe environment.
Men’s Health Project Officer at the Men’s Shed Stuart Torrance says loneliness and social isolation affect both men and women “badly.”
“Research by Professor Barry Golding and Professor John MacDonald, two of our patrons, shows the lack of social engagement and interaction is a predetermining factor to poor health in men,” he said. “So, in that regard, Men’s Sheds are a preventative health measure.
“Sheds are a space for men to come together to share skills and knowledge with respect to the projects they undertake. The Shed replicates the workplace that for most of their lives had not only been a place to earn an income but a place to discuss anything and everything with their workmates.”
Mr Torrance emphasises that men go to the sheds for the tools and the activities but stay for a sense of friendship and comradery. The sheds, therefore, are a facilitator of meaningful connection and prevent social isolation and loneliness, he adds.
“So, the Shed addresses social isolation just by being open.” Mr Torrance said. “It then raises awareness and addresses other health issues by the conversations held among its members. We call this ‘health by stealth’ as this has never been the intent of the participants – it happens naturally as subjects and personal experience are shared.”
If you need help:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
13YARN: 13 92 76
Learn more:
Men’s Shed: mensshed.org/
Ending Loneliness Together campaign: endingloneliness.com.au/
References:
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. ‘Social Isolation and Loneliness’. 16 September 2021. aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/social-isolation-and-loneliness-covid-pandemic [Accessed 10/5/22]
- Kenn Wyatt, MP. ‘$48.1 million to combat loneliness in local communities’. 6 May 2018. medianet.com.au/news-hub-post?id=160083 [Accessed 10/5/22]
- Hawkley LC, et al. ‘Loneliness matters: A theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms’. 2010. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3874845/ [Accessed 10/5/22]
- Australian Psychological Society. ‘Australian Loneliness Report’. 2018. researchbank.swinburne.edu.au/file/c1d9cd16-ddbe-417f-bbc4-3d499e95bdec/1/2018-australian_loneliness_report.pdf> [Accessed 10/5/22].
- Franklin A, et al. ‘Towards an understanding of loneliness among Australian men’. 2019.journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1440783318777309 [Accessed 10/5/22]
- Baker D. ‘All the lonely people: Loneliness in Australia 2001-2009’. australiainstitute.org.au/report/all-the-lonely-people-loneliness-in-australia-2001-2009/ [Accessed 12/5/22]
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. ‘Social Isolation and loneliness’. 16 September 2021. aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/social-isolation-and-loneliness-covid-pandemic [Accessed 10/5/22]
- Ending Loneliness Together. ‘About us’. 2022. endingloneliness.com.au/about-us/ [Accessed 10/5/22]
- Ending Loneliness Together. ‘Let’s talk loneliness and communities’. 2021. endingloneliness.com.au/lets-talk-loneliness-and-communities/ [Accessed 10/5/22]
- Australian Men’s Shed Association. ‘About AMSA’. 2017. mensshed.org/about-amsa/ [Accessed 10/5/22]
This feature was originally published in the June issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants e-magazine.
